Name: Launch of the UNEP FI Human Rights Toolkit for financial institutions
Start: 2025-01-28T12:00:00Z
End: 2025-01-28T12:01:02.000Z
Location: BrightTALK
Rating: 4.9

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a partnership between United Nations Environment and the global financial sector created in the wake of the 1992 Earth Summit with a mission to promote sustainable finance. More than 240 financial institutions, including banks, insurers, and investors, work with UN Environment to understand today’s environmental, social and governance challenges, why they matter to finance, and how to actively participate in addressing them.

UNEP FI’s work also includes a strong focus on policy – by facilitating country-level dialogues between finance practitioners, supervisors, regulators and policy-makers, and, at the international level, by promoting financial sector involvement in processes such as the global climate negotiations.

*Note: This talk has been rescheduled to May 13 to include the latest ESG developments, including context on the forthcoming EU Omnibus simplification package as it relates to China.*

Hosted by UNEP FI and Eco-Business, this webinar will share insights into China’s policy development and facilitate exchanges between China and the rest of the world. As China defines and implements its national ESG disclosure regulations, what does 2025 hold for banks and other financial sector actors? How should China and Europe collaboratively advance the sustainable finance policy agenda to meet commitments to the Paris Accord and SDGs? 

Guo Peiyuan, Chairman of China Sustainable Investment Forum, will give a presentation, which will be followed by a panel discussion.

This webinar is the second in UNEP FI’s new APAC Policy Webinar Series in partnership with Eco-Business. This series is an offering of UNEP FI’s Regulatory Implementation Support Programme.

Image credit: Unsplash / Danijel Durkovic

Development of ESG information disclosure regulations in China

Tackling climate mitigation represents a multifaceted and multi-year transformation for banks in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, impacting every single aspect of their business and operating models. Through initiatives like the UN Principles for Responsible Banking and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, many APAC banks have started taking the required steps towards climate mitigation by building a baseline of climate capabilities and setting climate targets in line with their national jurisdictions. However, with evolving standards, methodologies, public policies, and regulations, the path forward remains dynamic, and approaches vary significantly across different banks.

This webinar will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the Climate Mitigation Journey—a climate strategy asset that outlines all the business capabilities banks need to build and iterate over the coming years to align their financing with the Paris Agreement. The session will take a specific focus on APAC's challenges, opportunities, and practical implications related to decarbonization including:
• Examining current emissions breakdown
• The evolving regulatory & disclosure landscape
• Emerging climate trends 

By exploring these aspects, participants will gain insights into how banks can effectively navigate this transformation and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the climate space.

Navigating the climate landscape in Asia Pacific: Climate mitigation strategies for banks in the region

Hosted by UNEP FI and Eco-Business, this webinar presents a new policy brief, “Sustainable Finance Taxonomies in ASEAN: Towards Regional Harmonization”.

Taxonomies are a key tool for setting clear and consistent definitions for sustainable economic activities, in Asia-Pacific and beyond, and helping channel more capital towards global sustainability agendas while mitigating risks linked to greenwashing. 

The region is poised to become a key player in shaping global sustainable finance standards. Five of the ten ASEAN Member States have already developed their own national taxonomies, which are anticipated to continue to evolve with regular updates to align with scientific advancements; transparency, such as public disclosure of eligibility criteria; and regional collaboration.  

UNEP FI recently published a report taking stock of sustainable finance taxonomies across ASEAN and the degree to which these align with the ASEAN Taxonomy. In this webinar, UNEP FI report authors will share the main findings of the report and bring together key regional experts who will discuss how to further advance harmonization in this space. 

Part 1: 
Overview of main findings of the policy brief, including major components of the regional ASEAN Taxonomy and structure of ASEAN Member States' national taxonomies and alignment with ASEAN Taxonomy elements.

Part 2: 
Deep-dive presentations from leading experts in the region to share their perspectives and experience in promoting a more harmonized sustainable finance market. 

Speakers:
- Rhodora M. Brazil-De Vera, Deputy Director, Financial Supervision Sector, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
- Ornsaran Pomme Manuamorn, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank
- Eugene Wong, CEO, SFIA

This webinar is the first in UNEP FI’s new APAC Policy Webinar Series in partnership with Eco-Business. This series is an offering of UNEP FI’s Regulatory Implementation Support Programme.

Image: Fokkebok / Envato

Sustainable Finance Taxonomies in ASEAN: Towards Regional Harmonization

This webinar will focus on the perspectives of banks and other relevant stakeholders regarding the EU Omnibus Simplification Package and its expected impact on their companies and businesses. 

The Omnibus Simplification Package is a legislative initiative that was introduced by the European Commission (EC) on the 26th of February, aimed at simplifying, consolidating, and streamlining existing EU sustainability regulations – including among others the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD or CS3D), and the EU Taxonomy – with the goal of reducing administrative burdens and enhance competitiveness within the EU. 

This session is offered as part of UNEP FI’s Regulatory Implementation Support Programme, which is designed to help UNEP FI members and other stakeholders understand, implement, and comply with sustainable finance regulations and reporting requirements through public and UNEP FI members-only programming.

Speakers:

•  Thorbjørn Lundholm Dahl – Deputy Head of Group Sustainability, Danskebank
•  Silvia Irazoqui, Global Sustainability Team, BBVA
•  Marta García de Oteyza, Sustainability Group Vice President, Santander
•  Robert Spruijt – Managing Director – EMEA Head Sustainable Solutions Group, ING
•  Brent D. Matthies, PhD., Group Head, ESG Framework and Coordination, Nordea

Moderators:
•  Daniel Bouzas, Europe Regional Lead, UNEP FI
•  Rocio Falcones, EU Policy Lead, UNEP FI


Check back soon for additional confirmed speakers.

EU Omnibus Simplification Package: Implications and Banks' Perspectives

The webinar provides an overview of the progress the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA) and its members have achieved since the Alliance's launch at COP28 and takes a deep dive into the NZECA Target-Setting Protocol.

The Protocol is a science-based framework for export credit agencies (ECAs) and export-import banks (ExIms) pursuing the path to net-zero and a guiding document for NZECA members to meet the commitments made when joining the Alliance. 

Join representatives of the ECAs leading in the climate action space, scientists and UNEP FI experts as they explain the approach proposed by the Protocol and its potential to align climate commitments on trade finance and accelerate the decarbonisation of international trade globally in a coherent science-based manner.

The webinar will provide the opportunity for the audience to ask their questions to NZECA members and will be interesting for the wide variety of actors interested in sustainable trade finance.

Unpacking target setting for net-zero trade: Progress of the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance

This webinar, led by the Diana Chepn’geno, Africa and Middle East Coordinator for the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility will be a discussion between experts in banking and bancassurance covering climate risks and its repercussions on the business operations and overall strategies of banks or MFIs. The conversation will explore the possible challenges and solutions faced by institutions in securing their resilience and that of their MSME clientele. 
Secondly, the webinar will feature a presentation by a prominent climate risk modelling expert, covering what it means to conduct climate risks assessments and how to quantify climate risk exposure of an institutions’ portfolio with a specific focus on parametric portfolio coverage.

A Lens Into Climate Risks Resilience & MSMEs: Insights For Banks & Insurers

This webinar will bring together experts and practitioners to discuss how evolving nature and pollution disclosure trends are shaping financial strategies. The session will explore key developments, from advancements in data transparency and market tools to the role of regulatory frameworks in driving nature-positive outcomes. Participants will gain actionable insights on embedding nature and pollution considerations into portfolios, supporting alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and promoting sustainable, resilient financial decision-making.

Agenda
Introduction and Report Presentation
 • 14:00 – Webinar introduction | UNEP FI
 • 14:05 – Content presentation: updates | UNEP FI
 • 14:15 – Pollution findings | UNEP FI
Panel Discussion
 • 14:20 – Moderation and first question | UNEP-WCMC
 • Panelists: IFRS Foundation, TNFD, GRI, EFRAG
Wrap-up
 • 14:55 – Reminder on webpages and AOB

Accountability for Nature: Comparison of Nature-related Assessment and Disclosure Frameworks and Standards

Join the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility for a special webinar launching the new “100 Banks Strategy” to an audience in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. This webinar, conducted in Spanish, will be the first public introduction to the updated theory of change for how insurance can be best utilised to protect the economies of climate-vulnerable nations. 
The 100 Banks Strategy is designed to qualify working solutions to the insurance gap for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in climate-vulnerable economies by assessing the climate risk of an entire investment portfolio. This approach to combining climate risk presents previously unavailable opportunities for insurance cover by overcoming the problem of scale in grouping these smaller-value insurance premiums, making them more viable for insurers to underwrite.
The 100 Banks Strategy addresses the problem of the insurance gap for MSMEs in V20 Nations by enabling banks to act as demand aggregators for insurance policies for small businesses within their investment portfolios. This system facilitates easier access to insurance for these businesses while supporting banks in managing their glowing climate-related financial risks.
The webinar will be hosted by Gabriel Perez, Latin America and Caribbean Coordinator for the V20 Sustainable insurance facility, leading a conversation with regional industry leaders who will discuss the broader issues, such as the institutional challenges in developing MSME lending products, climate risks and credit risk management, MSME impact and adaptation strategies, and implementing solutions and strengthening financial resilience. 

Speakers will include:
• Lina María Toro, Líder de Finanzas Sostenibles Colombia - Banco Davivienda
• Gina Carvajal Vega, Gerente General Corporativa del Banco Popular
• Oscar Fernando Hernández Diaz, Gerente de Sostenibilidad en Bancamía

Financial Resilience for MSMEs: A Climate Risk Strategy for Banks, Cooperatives, and MFIs

Now in its fourth year, the annual New Green Shoots webinar highlights cutting-edge innovations in finance for nature-positive outcomes. This year’s session focuses on data transparency, market tools, and institutional products advancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) goals. Featuring expert insights from Finance for Biodiversity Foundation, EU Business & Biodiversity Platform, PRI and other industry experts, the webinar will explore pioneering solutions such as Earth Observation data applications, biodiversity-linked bonds, regenerative finance initiatives in emerging markets, and nature-credit frameworks, providing actionable strategies for financial institutions to embed nature-based solutions into their portfolios.

New Green Shoots 2025: Latest trends and innovations in nature finance

The interconnected nature of sustainability challenges demands a shift from siloed approaches to holistic systems thinking. For financial institutions, recognising and managing interlinkages between environmental, social, and economic factors is critical to driving meaningful impact and supporting sustainable development. By addressing these interconnections, financial institutions can leverage positive impacts across their portfolios and avoid unintended risks. 

This webinar will unveil the latest insights and resources to help organisations navigate and manage the complex interlinkages between different impact areas. It will feature the latest edition of the UNEP FI Interlinkages Mapping and the accompanying document Understanding and Managing Interlinkages.

Unpacking the Power of Interlinkages for Holistic Impact Management

Hosted by UNEP FI and WWF, this webinar presents a new joint publication: Navigating Nature-related Regulations for Banks: Mapping the Policy Landscape. As nature-related regulatory initiatives are picking up globally, this webinar helps attendees make sense of these developments around the world, and how broader policy frameworks interact. This webinar is open to all, with a focus on representatives of banks, central banks and supervisors, and government policymakers.

Central banks and supervisors are starting to acknowledge the necessity of tackling nature-related risks as part of their prudential mandate. Already, 29 jurisdictions around the world—totaling more than EUR 75 trillion of banking assets—have started reflecting nature-related considerations in their prudential frameworks. However, prudential regulation does not act in isolation, as it is part of a wider system of rules, such as corporate disclosures, taxonomies, and due diligence obligations, that depend on and inform each other. This creates a complex interplay of linkages that interact locally within but also globally across jurisdictions. 

The following speakers are confirmed:
Marc Reinke, Co-chair of Taskforce on Nature-related Risk, NGFS / Head of Sustainable Finance Office, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB)
Guan Schellekens, Team Lead of the Climate Risk Project Management Office, European Central Bank (ECB)
Katie Lee Sheah Tsan, Climate Policy Strategist, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)
Sem Houben, Nature Risk & Policy Specialist, UNEP FI
Pina Saphira, Nature Economy Lead, WWF Greening Financial Regulation Initiative
Maud Abdelli, Lead, WWF Greening Financial ReguIation Initiative
Laura Canas da Costa, Global Policy Co-Lead, UNEP FI
Romie Goedicke den Hertog, Nature Co-Lead, UNEP FI

Agenda: 
Part 1 – Report findings; the global state of play of nature-related regulations for banks 
Part 2 – Case studies on nature-related policy initiatives by central banks

Navigating Nature-related Regulations for Banks

As the year draws to a close, join the UNEP FI Climate Team for a comprehensive reflection on the key outcomes of COP29 and a broader summation of 2024’s climate milestones. This webinar will unpack critical discussions from COP29, including the evolving role of carbon markets in global climate strategies and their implications for the financial sector. Participants will also gain insights into major climate reports released this year, such as UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024, offering a snapshot of where we stand on the path to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Designed as a year-end wrap-up, the session will provide a holistic view of 2024’s progress in climate finance, policy, and action, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for financial institutions in aligning portfolios with net-zero commitments. Engage with leading experts to explore the key takeaways from COP29, the state of global climate governance, and what lies ahead for 2025.

Overview of 2024 in climate

Seafood supply chains are at the heart of global food systems, yet they face significant environmental and social challenges. Traceability is key to addressing these risks and unlocking sustainable opportunities. 

A partner coalition made of the FAIRR Initiative, Planet Tracker, UNEP FI, the World Benchmarking Alliance and WWF US started a Seafood Traceability investor engagement to encourage major seafood companies to develop and implement full-chain, digital and interoperable traceability systems. 

Join us on December 5th for the launch of "Tracing Risk and Opportunity: The Critical Need for Traceability in Seafood Supply Chains", a new report by the FAIRR Initiative. This report synthesizes insights from the first year of the Seafood Traceability investor engagement, which brought together 35 investors representing US $6.5 trillion in combined assets to collaboratively engage seven global seafood companies in constructive dialogues about supply chain traceability. 

The webinar will delve into the importance of traceability in seafood supply chains and explore the findings from the report, which offers actionable recommendations for investors and seafood companies. Attendees will hear from leading traceability technologists, investors, and sustainability experts on the progress made so far and the challenges that remain on the road to robust traceability.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn about the next phase of the Seafood Traceability engagement and how you can drive meaningful change in global seafood supply chains.

Speakers include:

Laure Boissat, Senior ESG Analyst Biodiversity & Oceans, the FAIRR Initiative
Lauren Lynch, Manager - Blue Finance (Ocean ESG), WWF-US
Dai Yamawaki, Senior Portfolio Manager, Nomura Asset Management 
Emily Claire Mackey Faubel, Associate, ESG Engagement, Rockefeller Asset Management
Blake Harris, Technical Director, Global Food Traceability Center, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

Tracing Risk and Opportunity: The Critical Need for Traceability in Seafood Supply Chains

About: 
This webinar will convene members of the PSI Insurance Working Group for Nature—a multi-stakeholder platform driving technical advancements and capacity building on nature-related issues and alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Comprising more than 40 insurance companies and brokers from all regions of the world, the working group is supported by technical partners such as the World Wide Fund for Nature, as well as individuals form a consultative group consisting of global regulators, supervisors, and insurance associations.
 
During the webinar, the working group will launch its first output: "Insuring a Resilient Nature-Positive Future"—a guide outlining priority actions that non-life and life & health insurers can take to align with the Global Biodiversity Framework. The group will share insights into the guide and its recommendations and discuss how the guidance can be practically applied across the insurance industry globally.
 
Speakers and panellists:
• Butch Bacani, Programme Leader, UN Environment Programme’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative
• Deborah Halberstadt, Special Advisor to the Commissioner, Biodiversity and Inclusive Insurance, California Department of Insurance
• Huma Pabani, Director, Environment & National Issues, Environment, Government & Industry Relations, TD Insurance
• Caroline Wakesho Sonje, Group ESG Specialist, ICEA LION 
• Hiroko Urashima, Senior Sustainability Specialist, MS&AD 
• Thomas Viegas, Nature Strategy Lead, Aviva
• Aurélie Fallon Saint-Lo, Head of Sustainable Underwriting, AXA Group
• Regula Hess, Financial Sector Engagement Lead, WWF Switzerland
• Romie Goedicke, Nature Co-Lead, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative
• Verena Kraus, Manager PSI Working Group for Nature, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

Insuring A Resilient Nature-Positive Future

The Climate Investment Playbook was co-developed by British International investment and FMO with the support of the UNEP FI-led Adaptation & Resilience Investors Collaborative (ARIC) to support private equity and venture capital in originating and assessing climate deals. The Playbook provides a clear structure for investors to cut through the complex web of frameworks, taxonomies and tools, with a focus on climate adaptation investments. The second part of UNEP FI's overview will focus on sector-specific issues:

• A&R across different sectors, i.e. Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, Energy, Manufacturing, Real Estate/Buildings, Transport, Water, Health, Metals & Mining, Financial Services, Information & Communication Technologies, Nature-based Solutions

• Best class example and case studies

You can find the first part of the Investing in Climate Adaptation here: https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/17290/627083?utm_source=UNEnvironmentFinanceInitiative&utm_medium=brighttalk&utm_campaign=627083

Investing in Climate Adaptation | Guidance for investors, Part 2

Tackling climate mitigation represents a multifaceted and multi-year transformation for banks in Africa and the Middle East (AME), impacting every single aspect of their business and operating models.  Through the UN Principles for Responsible Banking and its climate accelerator, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance many AME Banks have started taking the required steps towards climate mitigation, by building a baseline of climate capabilities and setting their net-zero commitments and initial targets. However, with evolving standards, methodologies, public policies and regulation, the way to go about this transformation is still being shaped and approaches by different banks vary significantly.
 
This webinar will provide the opportunity for participants to learn from the experiences of 3 financial institutions from the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, and Morocco to showcase their climate mitigation journey so far and engage in a peer-to-peer exchange on challenges ahead and net-zero opportunities from local and regional perspectives.
 
Speakers will include:
• Garima Chitkara, Vice President, Net Zero Transition - Group ESG , First Abu Dhabi Bank
• Judith Sidi Odhiambo, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, KCB Group
• Mamoun Tahri Joutei, Head of Economic Intelligence and Sustainable Development, Bank of Africa

This webinar is part of a series of regional sessions on various climate-related topics relevant to the needs of banks from AME.

Addressing climate mitigation for banks in Africa and Middle East: Insights and perspectives from banks in the region

The Adaptation and Resilience Investors Collaborative (ARIC) has recently published its physical climate risk investor playbook which provides investors with a step-by-step approach to integrate the identification, assessment and management of physical climate risks in the investment process. 
 
This talk will focus firstly on providing an overview of the playbook and its key messages followed by a panel discussion exploring the playbook themes, and examining how the methodology and approaches outlined in the playbook are applied in practice by investment professionals. 
 
Agenda
·      Welcome and opening remarks
·      Physical climate risk investor playbook introduction and overview
·      Panel Discussion and Q&A
·      Closing remarks

ARIC Physical Climate Risk Playbook for Investors Launch

Join the webinar for the launch of the Human Rights Resource Kit, a comprehensive, step-by-step tool designed to help financial institutions to align with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The tool is the result of a coordinated effort between UNEP FI and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which supported the development of the toolkit and financed the project.

The following speakers are confirmed:
Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
Fernanda Hopenhaym, Chairperson, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Charlotte Hill, Senior Sustainable Finance Advisor and Human Rights Focal Point, European Investment Bank
Lea Juliussen, Human Rights Lead, Danske Bank 
Louise Vytopil, Sustainability Expertise Lead, ABN AMRO 
Joana Pedro, Social and Human Rights lead, UNEP FI

Launch of the UNEP FI Human Rights Toolkit for financial institutions

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Launch of the UNEP FI Human Rights Toolkit for financial institutions

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